Kaguya took a long time before her emotions finally returned.
Five thousand years of imprisonment had given her nothing but endless torment.
If not for the thought that one day she might see Kaede again, she would have long since collapsed.
"Yes. When I left, I told you we would meet again. That day has come. I came here as soon as I arrived, to bring you back."
Kaede stepped forward, taking her hand.
Kaguya did not resist. She only raised her head and looked at him quietly.
At last, tears streamed down her face.
"Why did you only come now? Five thousand years… long enough to drive me insane. After I was sealed, I remembered your words. Only then did I realize they weren't lies. But by then it was too late. Far too late."
She wept, filled with regret.
Regret for ever believing the foolish words of the Sage of Six Paths.
Regret for granting humanity so much power.
Regret for not destroying the Three Great Holy Lands early, for allowing that wretched toad to corrupt her sons.
But it was all too late. The past could not be changed.
Still, she was free now.
"Don't grieve. It's over. No one will ever hurt you again. You can rest easy now."
Kaede nodded.
"Yes. But before we return, I will destroy the moon. Everything here must be erased."
Hatred flashed in Kaguya's eyes.
After all, this prison had caged her for five millennia. It had to be destroyed.
"Very well."
Kaede agreed without hesitation.
He drew her into the void.
A colossal Susanoo rose once more, towering into the heavens.
Kyōka Suigetsu gleamed in its hand, Truth-Seeking Orbs merging with the blade, lengthening it, sharpening it.
Kaede poured all his power into the weapon.
And brought it down upon the moon.
"Boom!"
The heavens shook with the deafening sound.
The lunar prison split apart, crumbling to dust under the force of his strike.
The moon shattered into fragments, scattered into nothingness.
On the surface of the earth, night had fallen.
Villagers were preparing to sleep when the thunderous roar echoed from the sky.
They opened their eyes—
and froze.
The moon, once serene and radiant, had split apart before their eyes.
Terror spread instantly.
"What is happening?"
Confusion filled the air.
Tsunade, Orochimaru, Ōnoki, and the Uchiha all rushed out, gazes fixed on the heavens.
Their pupils dilated in shock.
"The moon… the moon is gone!"
Naruto stood frozen, staring up, utterly speechless.
"How… how could this be?"
No one had an answer.
One moment, the moon had been there. Then thunder boomed—and it shattered.
"If this is the work of a person… then their power is unimaginable. To break a celestial body… it surpasses divinity itself."
Orochimaru muttered, his voice trembling.
Yes, ninja could devastate nations, raze villages, even unify the shinobi world as Kaede had done.
But to destroy a planet? Such power was beyond comprehension.
"It must be him… it must be the lord's doing!"
Tsunade suddenly exclaimed.
"You mean… Kaede did this?" Orochimaru asked sharply.
The others, too, came to the same realization.
Yes—who else but him?
If Kaede could dominate the entire world with his strength, why not the moon as well?
Tsunade nodded firmly.
"Who else could it be? No hidden power exists among us stronger than him. This has to be his doing."
They fell silent, reassured.
Whatever Kaede chose to do, it was for a reason.
And he was still the strongest being in existence. That was enough.
"Enough. Go calm your clans. Whatever has happened, the lord will resolve it. Return to your homes."
Tsunade, once the Fifth Hokage, still carried authority.
The others obeyed, retreating to quiet their people.
Meanwhile, in Amegakure.
The village was nearly deserted. Most shinobi had long fled.
Atop the great tower, Obito stood at the window, staring at the empty city below.
Black Zetsu stood beside him.
Of the Akatsuki, only a handful remained—Obito, Zetsu, Itachi, and a scattering of rogue shinobi.
The once-feared organization was now a shadow of its former self.
"Report. What's the situation?" Obito asked coldly.
"Not good. Nearly two-thirds of the world now belongs to him. Only a few minor nations resist, and they won't hold out long. Soon, Kaede will rule it all."
Zetsu's voice was heavy.
"I see. And our informants? Has there been any word? Kaede has been absent for some time… what is he planning?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]